Kathleen Metzger

I enjoy the process of taking a blank sheet of paper, filling the empty space and creating something singular.  I need my images to resonate with the onlooker without prescribing what they see.  Rather than presenting an overly representational image, I offer the onlooker the chance to perceive and interpret the artwork in their own personal way.

I look for light and color; shapes and lines; composition and balance.  I try to bring a fresh take on the subject, or embellish it with color, or simplify it.  Most importantly, I hope my work evokes a warm feeling of remembrance or a strong desire to experience the subject or place firsthand.

Featured here is my work “Still Standing Overseas Railroad”. This pastel features an abandoned portion of an historic bridge which was built over seven years and completed in 1912. Called the “Overseas Railroad” or “Flagler’s Folly,” it once linked the Florida Keys. I was drawn to the colorful decay and the waters surrounding as well as the shape of the arch and of course, its history.

While I was not raised in Door County – or Wisconsin – I have grown to love the history and natural features of the peninsula, especially the water.  I come from a small farming community in the central lower peninsula of Michigan.  We certainly had farmland and nature surrounding us, but only small inland lakes, rivers and streams.  Being resident seasonally in Door County allows me to fully appreciate its beauty and engage in the vibrant artistic community. 

Many years ago, I left that small farming community to pursue education and travel. After an international career in business and teaching – which allowed me to live in several areas of the US and overseas – I am now able to explore my artistic inclinations at a deeper level.  Ever since my first art class as a young teenager, I have experimented in all sorts of media over the years – pottery, glass, fiber, metalwork to name a few.  My work today reflects a deep love of travel, history and taking photographs, which serve as my primary inspiration for painting. 

Only within the last two years, I began working primarily with watercolors and pastels, discovering the fascinating challenges both media present.  Through course offerings and opportunities available in Door County (including volunteering as a docent at The Hardy Gallery), I continue to develop my skills and personal style.